HRH Duke Casper ventured to the New Santiago Special Administrative Region on Friday afternoon, for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic forced nation and region alike to lock down. During his visit, he was given an outline of the governmental and infrastructural changes which occurred in his absence.
The headliner announcement made during this meeting is that May Sinclair, former diarch of the State of Unicornia, has returned to the administration as Vice Executive (equivalent to a regional Vice President). This was in and of itself surprising, because her abdication and the resulting formation of the Principality of Unicornia was one of the main contributors to the political crisis that led to a merging of the state into Navārdia.
New Santiago has also adopted a regional currency, called the New Santiago dollar. It will only replace the United States dollar for internal trade, and it will be first distributed in the form of repurposed, specially marked "fake money" until the region gains the ability to reliably print and manage its own coins and bills, which is presently impossible due to complications involving the coronavirus.
In addition to these administration-related developments, New Santiaguian infrastructure has received several changes since the lockdown began. A statue of the Buddha has been erected in a small field of wildflowers after its discovery far into the northern woods, and a tadpole habitat has been constructed near the government house. The New Santiago gardens have also been expanded. Crops of peppers and green beans are being prepared for harvest.